The Globalization of Scientology: Influence, Control and Opposition in Transnational Markets

Abstract

Locating itself within a sociological perspective that analyses religiously ideological organisations as transnational corporations, this study examines the global activities of Scientology. It summarises the organisation's resolution of its international conflict with Interpol, its take-over of its internationally influential opponent, the Cult Awareness Network (CAN) and its heightened rhetoric against psychiatry. The article also highlights Scientology's international marketing strategies that attempt to further the teachings of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and gain political and social influence. Despite Scientology's efforts to adjust its approach to fit the cultural realities of the countries that it enters, its apparent successes in some formerly Iron Curtain nations is counterbalanced by growing opposition in Western Europe. 1999 Academic Press At least two contemporary sociological trends bespeak the timeliness of a focused study about Scientology's international resource acquisition and utilisation efforts. First, a growing number of publications are examining globalization trends among religions and other social institutions. 1 These studies identify the manner in which heretofore national issues are being recast in borderless frameworks. Only a few of them explore, however, the manner by which particular sects such as Scientology develop transnational presences by attempting to achieve global influence if not control over resources and opponents.Second and more directly, recent work has called for analyses of religiously ideological organisations as multinational or transnational corporations (see Bromley, p. 272; Kent, 1990, p. 401; Wallis, p. 248). This relatively new but obvious perspective highlights the ability of ostensibly religious groups to shift and diversify their operational bases and resource acquisition efforts throughout various parts of the globe in accordance with prevailing political, social, and economic climates. The current study locates itself within this perspective, and borrows from it broad categories and concepts to identify Scientology's efforts to extend its influence throughout the world. While the organisation's strenuous efforts at gaining international dominance will fall well short of its goal, undoubtedly Scientology will continue attempts to influence the social fabric of the countries in which it operates.

The Church of Scientology: Legitimacy through Perception Management

“…Considering this, the revocation of the Church of Scientology's tax-exempt status was not, in itself, a declaration that the Church was not a religious organization (Kent 1998). Rather, the Church was deemed to serve the “enrichment of specific individuals,” namely L. Ron.…”

Has God Gone Global? Religion, Language, and Globalization

“…While O ' Leary argues that " [i]n computer networks the global village has found its public square " ( 1996 : 786), the public square is often subject to controls and surveillance. The best example is perhaps that of the Church of Scientology (Kent 1999 ). This organization (recognized legally as a religion by some nations, but prohibited by others) has a signifi cant offi cial internet presence ( http://www.scientology.org/home.html ).…”

Secrecy and New Religious Movements: Concealment, Surveillance, and Privacy in a New Age of Information

“…Even today in the post‐Cold War era, however, Scientology's war of information‐control and secrecy continues. Not only has it engaged in massive legal battles with numerous journalists, former members, and anti‐cult groups (Behar 1991), as well as with government agencies in Germany, Australia, Russia, and elsewhere (Kent 1999); now the Church of Scientology is engaged in a new kind of information war in cyberspace, where countless websites have popped up claiming to reveal the innermost secrets of Scientology. The Church of Scientology has in fact established its own Religious Technology Center, which has waged a massive assault against the many Internet users distributing Scientology materials throughout the globe using the power of digital communications.…”